Labor Urges Cuomo To Strengthen Environmental Efforts

Labor groups on Friday urged Gov. Andrew Cuomo to bolster spending for environmental programs in New York as federal funding for the Environmental Protection Agency is on the chopping block and regulations are poised to be rolled back.

The groups — including the United University Professions, New York State Nurses Association and the Transit Workers United Local 100 — want to see billions spent on renewable energy and infrastructure projects, resources for environmental concerns in poor communities and fair labor and training standards in clean energy.

And the groups want to see the a transition process for workers that moves New York away from fossil fuel plants that is locally driven.

“Retrograde actions by the Trump administration–backtracking on COP 21, deregulating Fossil Fuels, rolling back environmental protections—will lead to many Superstorms like Sandy, more contaminated water like Flint and Hoosick Falls, worsening Asthma and respiratory problems, further poisoning the lungs of our Bronx babies,” said Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez, the president of the New York State Nurses Associations.

“It is incumbent upon New York State to step up and protect New Yorkers, with legislation such as the Climate and Community Protection Act, transitioning into 100% renewables with many new good union jobs, while boldly standing forward to save our communities and our salvage our future.”

State lawmakers and the governor are discussing whether to spend billions of dollars on water quality upgrades and projects and Cuomo, too, has decried the proposed federal budget cuts as having a negative impact on New York.